Rules 16 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Part II of the Rules describes three office-holders who run the Tribunal. Rule 16 lists the President's functions, rule 17 the Registrar's, rule 18 the Secretary's at the Principal Bench in New Delhi, and rule 19 lets the President delegate the Registrar's functions. For a litigant the Registrar's rule is the most useful, because it says which applications go to the Registry.
The President presides over the consideration of cases, directs the Registry, prepares an annual report, transfers a case from one Bench to another and withdraws work from a Member (rule 16). The Registrar registers appeals, petitions and applications and receives applications for amendment, fresh or short-date summons and notices, substituted service, and orders on admission and inspection of documents (rule 17(1)); adjournments are normally sought before the Bench (rule 17(2)). A Secretary sits at the Principal Bench, New Delhi, and handles administration (rule 18). The President may delegate the Registrar's functions to a suitable officer (rule 19). The Rules are read as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E), 3 February 2020); none of these four rules was changed by the amendments held.
Rule 16: functions of the President
In addition to the general powers in the Act and the Rules, the President:
- (a) presides over the consideration of cases by the Tribunal;
- (b) directs the Registry in the performance of its functions;
- (c) prepares an annual report on the activities of the Tribunal;
- (d) transfers any case from one Bench to another when circumstances so warrant;
- (e) withdraws the work or case from the court of a Member; and
- (f) performs the functions entrusted to the President under the Rules and such other powers as may be relevant to carry out his duties as head of the Tribunal, exercising general superintendence and control over the administrative functions of the Members, Registrar, Secretary and other staff.
Clauses (d) and (e) matter to parties: a case can be moved between Benches, or taken from a Member, by the President. The constitution of the Tribunal is explained in our post on sections 408 to 418.
Rule 17: functions of the Registrar
Rule 17(1)
| Clause | What the Registrar does |
|---|---|
| (a) | registers appeals, petitions and applications |
| (b) | receives applications for amendment of an appeal, petition, application or subsequent proceedings |
| (c) | receives applications for fresh summons or notices and regarding services thereof |
| (d) | receives applications for fresh summons or notices and for short date summons and notices |
| (e) | receives applications for substituted service of summons or notices |
| (f) | receives applications seeking orders concerning admission and inspection of documents |
| (g) | transmits a direction or order to the civil court, as directed by the Tribunal, with the prescribed certificates for execution |
| (h) | handles other incidental matters the President may direct |
Clauses (b) to (f) say the Registrar "receives" applications; where another rule gives the Registrar an order-making role, such as the grant of inspection, that rule says so in terms. If you are unsure which application to file, a short legal consultation can settle it. For the Registry steps on notice and service see the article on rules 105 to 111.
Rule 17(2): adjournments
All adjournments are normally sought before the concerned Bench in court. In extraordinary circumstances the Registrar may, if so directed by the Tribunal in chambers, at any time adjourn any matter and lay it before the Tribunal in chambers. So a request for a new date is for court first, not the Registry counter. The Registrar's separate power to adjourn when a Bench cannot sit is in rule 90, covered in the article on the cause list.
Rule 18: functions of the Secretary
- There is a Secretary at the Principal Bench of the Tribunal, New Delhi (rule 18(1)).
- Under the general superintendence and control of the President, the Secretary discharges the duties prescribed in the Rules and assigned by the President (rule 18(2)).
- The Secretary (rule 18(3)):
- (a) is in charge of the long-term projects and initiatives of the Tribunal;
- (b) supervises the divisions and sections of Human Resources;
- (c) prepares, monitors and manages budgetary allocations and financial management of the Tribunal and the Benches;
- (d) provides support in the day-to-day operations;
- (e) manages and supervises facilities and administrative services;
- (f) manages and administers the public grievances mechanism;
- (g) coordinates with authorised representatives and other professionals for the smooth functioning of the Tribunal;
- (h) oversees information and communication technology and other technological facilities;
- (i) manages and facilitates communication and services of the Tribunal;
- (j) manages, monitors and administers the public affairs and public safety provisions within the premises; and
- (k) supervises the library and research wings.
Rule 19: delegation of powers by the President
The President may assign or delegate to any suitable officer all or some of the functions required by the Rules to be exercised by the Registrar. The definition of "Registrar" in rule 2(21) also includes any officer to whom the Registrar's powers are delegated.
Which officer deals with what
| Need | Officer | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer a case between Benches | President | 16(d) |
| Registration of a petition | Registrar | 17(1)(a) |
| Application for fresh or substituted service | Registrar (receives) | 17(1)(c)-(e) |
| Inspection or admission of documents: application | Registrar (receives) | 17(1)(f) |
| Adjournment | The Bench; the Registrar only in extraordinary circumstances on direction | 17(2) |
| Budget, library, ICT, grievances | Secretary | 18(3) |
| Delegation of Registrar's functions | President | 19 |
An example
Cobalt Systems Limited, a petitioner, wants a fresh notice to be sent to a respondent whose first notice returned. Its representative applies at the Registry (rule 17(1)(c)). Later the company needs a new date because counsel is unavailable; it asks the Bench in court (rule 17(2)).
Same as before the NCLAT?
The Registrar's list matches NCLAT rule 16 clause for clause, and rule 17(2) matches NCLAT rule 17. The NCLAT Rules have no rule on the Chairperson's own functions or on a Secretary, and the NCLAT delegation rule names a "Deputy Registrar or any other suitable officer". See Rules 16 to 18 of the NCLAT Rules.
Need help with filings that go through the Registry?
Knowing which application goes to the Registrar and which to the Bench saves time. If you want a second pair of eyes on a petition before filing, see our legal consultation service.
Key takeaways
- The President directs the Registry, transfers cases between Benches and may withdraw work from a Member (rule 16).
- The Registrar registers petitions and receives applications for amendment, fresh or substituted service, and admission and inspection of documents (rule 17(1)).
- Adjournments are normally sought before the Bench (rule 17(2)).
- The Secretary at the Principal Bench handles administration, finance, ICT and the library (rule 18).
- The President may delegate the Registrar's functions to a suitable officer (rule 19).
Read next
- Rules 8-13: sittings and urgent listing
- Rules 20-22: format of a petition
- Rules 16-18 of the NCLAT Rules
- Sections 408-418: constitution of the NCLT and NCLAT
Disclaimer: Based on the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016 (G.S.R. 716(E)) as amended up to the National Company Law Tribunal (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (G.S.R. 80(E)), consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, fees, forms, NCLT practice directions and the Companies Act, 2013 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.